Admire this magnificent neoclassical palace built for a Prussian prince in 1786 in the leafy Tiergarten, which today holds the official seat for the German president.
Bellevue Palace (Schloss Bellevue) is a grand neoclassical palace and the official seat of the Federal President of Germany. Named for its stunning view out to the Spree River, Bellevue Palace is nestled in the historic wooded parkland of the Tiergarten, a large park in the centre of the city. The palace is not open to the public but the building’s beautiful architecture and surrounding gardens can be viewed for free from the Tiergarten.
Walk through the picturesque park, named for its use as a hunting ground for Prussian nobles. Tiergarten means “animal garden.” The Tiergarten is crowned by the towering Victory Column (Siegessäule) and split down the middle by one of Berlin’s main arteries, the western extension of the busy boulevard the Unter den Linden. Walk around the park, dotted with tall, shady linden trees, to the scenic Spree River.
Stroll along the riverside to watch ferries and canal boats cruising up and down the Spree. The stately two-story Bellevue Palace lies on the river’s south banks and its grand neo-Classical wings extend towards the east. The immaculate white palace is fronted by a lawn and proudly flies the German and European Union flags.
Admire the palace’s architecture. The building was designed in 1786 for the Prussian King Friedrich II’s younger brother Prince Ferdinand. The palace also served as a schoolhouse under Kaiser Wilhelm II and as a Nazi government guesthouse in the late 1930s.
Reach Bellevue Palace by train to Bellevue station and walk along the riverfront to Lutherbrücke (Luther Bridge). Arrive at the many subway and train stations surrounding the Tiergarten to enjoy a leisurely walk through the park. A bus station is located directly outside the palace.
Tiergarten is open daily and features a network of scenic paths and waterways. Street parking is available for a fee.
